Fluorescent fixture



Feb. 13, 1945. E F, GUTH 2,369,228

FLUORES CENT F IXTURE Feb. 13, 1945. E. F. GUTH FLUORESCENT FIXTURE Filed July 16, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet vr2 Patented Feb. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLO'RESCENT FIXTURE Edwin F. .'Guth, Florissant, Mo.

Applicaitl July le, 1943, Serial N0. 494,911

(Cl. 24o-"78) Claims.

1 This invention relates to a fluorescent fixture and more particularly to an integral fluorescent channel support for fluorescent lamps.

Among the objects of this invention may be noted the provision of an integral supporting channel for fluorescent lamps; thel provision of a'supporting channel of the type indicated which can be formed from a one-piece blank; the pro'- vision of a channel of the type stated which can be'easily and quickly formed with relatively inexpensive equipment; and the provision of a supporting channel for fluorescent lamps which can be formed from a one-piece blank with a single action and without the use of ablank holder. yOther objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

y -The -invention accordingly comprises the elei ments and combinations of elements', steps and sequence of steps, features 'of construction and manipulation, and arrangements of parts lwhich Willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

i In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated oneof various possible embodiments of the invention,

' Fig. 1y is a top plan of theentire fixture;

' Fig. 2 isa side elevation of the xture;

p Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the fixture;

Fig. 4 is a half section taken along line lli-'1l of Fig. lcon an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 isa section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2 but likewise. o-n an enlarged scale;

- Fig. 6 is a pian of the channel loia'nkwhichl has been punched but no-t yet formed; Fig. '7 is a bottom plan of the formed channel;

andV i y Fig. 8 is a botto-m plan of the reflector designed forl use in association with lthe supporting channel as shown in Figs. 1 5.

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the vario-us views of the drawings.

Referring-now to the drawings, Figs. 1 3` il lustrate a complete fixture Iwhich includes the supporting channel of theA presentinventioni This lighting xture includes areflector I, the channel 3, a saddle support 5,-starting switches 1.; a transformer 9 and the necessary electrical-accessorles.

Fig. 2 shows the location of, the sockets II andl a tubular lamp I3 therein. The reflector I of channelshape-may be made ofY metal, nbre board or Masonite or other suitable materials, preferably enameled. The transformer 9, startingV switches 'I and sockets II are of the usual type. The supporting channel 3 is preferably provided with end plates I5 which are bent down The channel member of thel present invention is nia-de from a one-piece blank as shown in Fig. 6. 'The only portion of the blank which is not used inr the little corner pieces 25. The blank is preferably first punchedwith the proper holes,

for exzarriple'holes` 2`forf the 'starter switches if theyiare employed, are 29 for ears to be used for chain vsupports 3l, if they are desired, for

suspending the channel `and the necessary bolt holes S3; In addition, knockout plugsv may be almost completely relieved from the sheetior use in attaching the fixture to a ceiling, if this is desired. In lieu oi either ofthe above-meni tioned suspending means, a supporting4 saddle `5 may be substitutedv as shown in Fig. 1 'which' rides o-n `the channel itself (see Fig. 5). IThe bottom edges are bent over. as shown at 37 to engage the bottom of the channel.

When installing the fixture the workmen preferably locate the supporting saddleI 5 in its de# sred position on the fixture so as to aline with the support from 'the' ceiling and merely clamp the lbent-over portions 3'Iv into rm engagement with the channel 3.

The blank having been punchedin the' proper i places, the segments 39 may be formed tothe position shown" Fig. 4 and the ends I5 bent along lines 4I. IThe channel itself is then formed in asingle'action by means of ardire of the 'proper shape. No holder for the blank'is" necessary. In this connection it should be noted that no cutting, stretching or' lapping isV necessary in order to forni the channel shown'in Fig. 7 from the blank shown' in Fig. 6. Thisl is true because the vangle' f between lines 4 3 and 45 isthe same as between lines Il and 49 in Fig.- 4 or see Fig.`l and Fig. 2.

Inother'words, as the channel bends downward.

thereby gaining metal, the metal gained is used up by the broadening of the channel.

A typieai fo'uniooi supporting Chaiiiiei-amigiit fifteen inches long each. Each angle is then 7, that is, the angle between lines 43 and 45 and the angle between lines 41 and 49 is in Yeach in- Unless thel portion 39 has already been formed and the end pieces I bent at right angles to the remainder of the channel before the channel is formed from the blank, this is done. Earsk 5I have been relieved from ends I5 and are bent at right angles to the sides 53. These ears 5I are then welded onto the end members I5.

Ends I5 not only provide protection for the lamp sockets, but also serve as attaching meansl by which two or more channel members may be attached together to form a lighting unit. Knockout plugs 55 are preferably formed for use in thus attaching a plurality of channels together. Slots 5l may likewise be formed in ends I5 for supporting a diffusing grill, if this is desired.

The reflector I not only has the slots 2I cut away but preferably also has notches 59 cut to accommodate ends I5. The notches 59 enable the reflectors of two or more fixtures to fit together snugly when the fixtures are attached together to provide a larger lighting unit.

It will be noted that key I'I is at an angle to the position of reflector I when reflector I is attached to channel 3.' Accordingly, turning key I'I to locate the portion 23 at an' angle to openingy 2| serves to bring the reflector and channel into close engagement.

From the foregoing it will be clear that the herein disclosed channel support may be easily and quickly formed with relatively inexpensive and simple equipment and at a low material cost. The material itself is utilized economically and only one forming operation is needed. No trimming dies lare required and no blank holder is needed on thepr'ess. The die press maybe of the fast, single action type, because of this.

The unitary construction of the channel herein disclosed provides a rigid support for the fluorescent -lamps and the reflector. formed of relatively thin Ysheet metal, the channel 3 is firm and holds the fluorescent lamps I3 rigidly in place.

In view of the above, it l'Will be seen that the several objects of the inventionk are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be, made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in theabovefdescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beuinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: i

1. In an electric lighting fixture fortubular lamps comprising electrically controlled apparatus for said lamps, a channel integrally formed with a relatively deep and narrow central portion and relatively shallow and wide end portions, the -end portion aring from the central portion on an angle which is the same as the angle at which the narrow portion becomes progres-y Although sively shallower, a transformer supported in the i an angle which is the same as the angle at which the narrow portion becomes progressively sha1- lower, a transformer supported in the deep and narrow portion, lamp sockets supported within said channel at the opposite shallow and wide end portions thereof, means for suspending `said channel, a reflector of channel shape having an opening therein, and a key attached to said channel and located to cooperatewith said channel, said key being out of perpendicular to the reflector when the reflector is attached to said channel by means of Asaid key and opening to bring the channel and reflector into close engagement.

3. An electric lighting xture for tubular lamps comprising electrically controlled apparatus for said lamps, a channel integrally formed with a relatively deep and narrow central portion on an angle which is the same as the angle at which the narrow portion becomes progressively sha1' lower, a transformer supported in thedeep and narrow portion, lamp sockets supported within said channel at the opposite shallow and wide end portions thereof, means for suspending said channel, a reflector of channel shape having, openings therein and rotary keys having operating means attachedto said channel and located to cooperate with said openings, said keys being out of perpendicular to the reflector when the reflector is attached to said channel by means of said keys and openings to bring the reflector and channel into close engagement. Y

4. An electric lighting xture for tubular lampsr comprising electrically controlled apparatus for said lamps, a channel integrally formed with a relatively deep and narrow central portion on an angle which is the same as the angle at which the narrow portion becomes progressively shalf lower, a transformer supported in the deep and narrow portion, lamp sockets supported Within said channel at the opposite shallow and wide end portions thereof, means for` suspending said channel,` a reflector of channel shape having an opening therein, a key attached`to. said channel and located to cooperate with said channel, said key being out of perpendicular to the reflector when the reflector is attached to said channel by` means of said key and opening to bring the channelv and reflector into close engagement, and a supporting saddle for said channel, said saddle having its ends bent in the form of a U to accom- I modate the edges of said central portion.

5. An electric lighting fixture for tubular lamps comprising electrically controlled apparatus for said lamps, a channel integrally formed with a relatively deep and narrow central portion on an angle which is the same as the angle at which the narrow portion becomes progressively shallower, a transformer supported in the deep and narrow portion, llamp sockets supported within said channel at the opposite shallow and wide end portions thereof, means for suspendingsaid channel, a reflector of channel shape having an opening therein, and a key attached to said channel and located to cooperate with said chan-'- nel, said key being out of perpendicular to the' reflector when the reflector is attached to said channel by means of said key and openingto bring the channelrand lreflector into close engagement, said channel having portions forming end plates at each end of the fixturek adapted to cover and protect the sockets.V y e EDWIN F. GU'IH, 

